Ever since the beginning of time, Lamborghini has been known as the all-wheel-drive, go hard, supercar. In 2009, the company released the new Gallardo with all-wheel-drive, then later created a ‘Balboni’ limited-edition with rear-wheel drive for those that like power sent to the back (along with Balboni, Lambo’s test driver himself).

According to recent reports, Lamborghini will now offer the same to Gallardo Spyder lovers that desire some rear-wheel-drive fun as well.

The Gallardo Spyder is badged as the LP560-4 so we can expect the rear-wheel-drive version to be called LP550-2 Spyder. With that badging we’re guessing that power from the 5.4 liter V10 will be turned down by 10 horses – however, the model should be slightly lighter than the all-wheel-drive drop top.

Lamborghini’s ‘LP550-2′ should also come with a slightly smaller price tag, dropping about $14,000 off the starting price.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Top Gear

Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni Edition by Anderson Germany

About a year ago, Lamborghini introduced a special edition Gallardo to honor Valentino Balboni, a man who started his journey at the company as a mechanic apprentice and was then asked by the founder to test drive every single new Lamborghini model.

Known as the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, the model drops the all-wheel-drive system and sends 550-hp to the rear wheels. 0 to 62 mph comes in just 3.9 seconds with top speed limited at 199 mph. Not bad right? Well, if you’re a tuner company by the name of Anderson Germany – you’re going to try to make it better.

Besides offering a sportier look with 20-inch wheels, Anderson Germany increased output from 550-hp to 582-hp. Anderson Germany doesn’t say how much of a difference the extra boost provides in performance, but we’re guessing it gives the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni a little extra oomph.

Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni Edition by Anderson Germany:

Press Release:

ANDERSON GERMANY – Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni Edition

It is always a challenge when you take even the most seemingly perfect car – as the Lamborghini undoubtedly is – and have it undergo a treatment in order to present it to an admiring audience in an even more perfect condition. For example with a car that is not exactly under-motorised – the Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni Edition.

Because the exterior of this fast car can hardly be improved, the team at the company ANDERSON GERMANY – with their headquarters in Düsseldorf – have concentrated more on the interior than on the small visible external “details” and this has given them room to go all out.

Small visible details would include the tint of the tail lamps and the panes. Alone the description of the exclusive three-part rims with specialty lacquering would be enough to fill more pages than we have space for here. To sum up: these are specially lacquered rims, 8.5×20 and 11.5×20 inches in size, soled with high performance tyres measuring 235/30-20 at the front and 305/25-20 at the back. Although they are not immediately visible, this is more than made up for by the audible exhaust system, which can be adjusted with a remote controlled, three-step valve control.

In the completely refined interior the logo-decorated seats and the generously built Carbon in White are an absolute feast for the eyes. It is worth mentioning the increased performance of the engine, from 550 PS to 590 with an even higher maximum torque.

The company ANDERSON GERMANY is an elite tuner, which turns luxury cars into truly one of a kind vehicles. The vehicles are of course fine-tuned for the stars of this world according to their special requests, inside as well as outside. A special pick-up service is offered to do this, regardless of the car’s location. Naturally, the final product is delivered to the same place.

We offer exclusive rims, complete lacquering or film coating, carbon finishing, specially manufactured exhaust systems, increased performance, interior finishing to the finest degree as well as high end multimedia solutions.

- By: Omar Rana

If there is one dream job (other than the one we have) we had to pick, it would be that of Valentino Balboni, a man who started his journey as a mechanic at Lamborghini. Shortly after his career started with the Italian supercar maker, Balboni was asked by the founder of Lamborghini to test-drive new models. Ever since, Balboni has reportedly driven 80 percent of all Lamborghini’s ever build.

Balboni now has his own special-edition model called the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni. The rear-wheel-drive model produces a whopping 550-hp and goes from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 199 mph.

Here is video of an interview with the lucky guy.

Hit the jump for the video.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: WCF

Valentino Balboni, a man who started his journey at Lamborghini as a mechanic apprentice, was personally asked by the founder of the Italian automaker to test drive new Lamborghini models. Balboni, who has reportedly driven 80 percent of all Lamborghinis ever built, now has his own model bearing his name – the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni.

Ditching the all-wheel-drive system, the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 sends 550-hp to the rear wheels. 0 to 62 mph comes in just 3.9 seconds with top speed limited at 199 mph.

To ensure exclusivity of the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni model, Lamborghini will produce a limited 250 units with prices starting at $219,800 in the United States.

Click through for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni:

Press Release:

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni – Driving fun with absolute precision

He has long been revered as one of the many legends surrounding the world’s most uncompromising sports car brand – Valentino Balboni, a remarkable test driver with his own personal cult status. Automobili Lamborghini now presents a model in his honour and bearing his name – the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni.

The latest version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini’s most successful model of all time – overall, more than 9,000 units of the model range have already been produced – boasts not only its own distinctive design and exclusive equipment, but its technology is unique too, as indicated by the model badge: the 550 stands for the power output in hp and the 2 is for rear wheel drive.

For several decades, Valentino Balboni has had a distinct influence on the character of the super sports car bearing the sign of the bull. With his fine-tuning and testing work, he has helped to shape many automotive legends, from the Lamborghini Miura of the 60s through to the current Gallardo and Murciélago models. Balboni was hired in 1967 by company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini himself. From early on, it was evident that the young Balboni had a special feel for cars, that most sensitive of all instincts that connects to the ‘life blood’ of an automobile and defines the soul of a test driver.

“A Lamborghini must always combine the precision of a race car with the reliability of a good friend,” says Balboni. Since 1973, he has sat at the wheel of every prototype built by the brand, and even most production cars have passed through his hands before being delivered to their customers. This has turned Balboni into one of the most important representatives of the brand, with an outstanding reputation and status among the brand’s fans and customers worldwide.

Limited to 250 units

After over 40 years with Lamborghini, Balboni is now officially retired. Yet, Valentino Balboni continues to travel to many countries around the world as an ambassador of the brand. The special exclusivity of the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni is guaranteed – it is limited to 250 units.

Light-footed yet extremely safe

With this latest version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini is honouring its long-standing test driver in a very special way. The LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni was conceived in line with his own thinking, and it meets many customers’ requests for a model with a unique character, which offers a very special kind of active driving fun. The Balboni model is the only current Lamborghini that delivers its power to the road via its rear wheels alone.

Rear wheel drive has a special appeal to those sports car drivers who enjoy a particular driving style. Thanks to the eminently powerful V10 driveline, controlled oversteer is no problem – naturally always to the extent defined by the driver – because refined road manners and perfectly tuned assistance systems mean that the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni is an exceptionally safe sports car to drive.

Driving fun with unique character

In order to shape this unique character that combines driving fun and safety, the engineers at Sant’Agata Bolognese have incorporated extensive modifications into the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni. It was not simply a question of moving the transmission to the rear axle, the vehicle had to be adjusted and tuned in every element of its driving dynamics. This includes springs, dampers, stabilisers and even the tyres. The aerodynamics were also adjusted to take account of the change to the power flow.

The rear axle differential, with a 45 percent limited slip, was also redeveloped, as was the calibration of the e-gear transmission. One significant point was the adjustments made to the ESP system. While the standard program is focused on high stability, the CORSA program permits greater drift angles, thus enabling drivers to enjoy the dynamics of the LP 550-2 to their full extent.

Outstanding performance is guaranteed

Adjustments have also been made to the very heart of the Gallardo, the 5.2 litre ten-cylinder: the perfect synthesis of hi-revving pleasure, pulling power, a constantly exuberant temperament and a powerful symphony played in all keys. In the Valentino Balboni, the compact and lightweight power unit generates 405 kW (550 hp). At a dry weight of only 1,380 kilograms, this guarantees outstanding performance: the LP 550-2 is catapulted from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62mph) in a breathtaking 3.9 seconds, while the top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph) guarantees its place among the ultimate in super sports cars.

Powerful elegance in its distinctive design

The Valentino Balboni is not only unique in terms of its technology: its design and equipment reinforce its exclusivity. Its classic sporting character is emphasised by a colour strip in white and gold running from the front panel over the roof and parts of the engine cover all the way to the rear spoiler, with inspiration from the classic sports cars from the ’70s. This colour treatment underscores the powerful elegance of the Gallardo and emphasises the unique Lamborghini design DNA. The Special Edition is available in eight colours, from Bianco Monocerus through to Verde Ithaca, or Arancio Borealis to Nero Noctis. The Scorpius wheels retain their dark grey finish, while the brake callipers come in black, orange or yellow, depending on the exterior paint finish.

Classic sporting look for the interior, too

The characteristic colour combination is repeated in the interior. The basic colour of the full leather upholstery is black. Both seats, however, feature the colour strip in white. The centre console is completely upholstered in Polar white leather to create a powerful accent. A badge below the left side window bears the signature of Valentino Balboni and the production number of the car.

The exclusivity of the Valentino Balboni is augmented further by its extensive equipment. Alongside several new leather features in the interior, there is also the transparent engine cover, the rear view camera, the navigation system with Bluetooth and the lifting system for the front axle that makes it easier to drive over obstacles. In addition to the extensive standard equipment, a list of further options is available including e-gear transmission and carbon ceramic brakes.

- By: Mo Eladway